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■^ , THE ,-7 

HY 

MARGARET JUNKIN PRESTON. 



Presbyterian Board ^oe;^ Publication. 
821 Chestnut Street, 

PHILADELPHIA. 



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N^^tV-- 



YOUNG RULER'S QUESTION. 



1. 
IT E had riches, and ease, and honour, 

And never a Jewish boy 
Had passed on the banks of Jordan 
A quieter youth of joy. 



He had houses, and fields, and vineyards, 
And blessings of all degree ; 

None had a fairer portion 
In beautiful Galilee. 



4 The Young Ruler's Question. 

111. 
Whatever this world could ofter 

Of pure and innocent bliss — 
Whatever his nature needed 

( )f goodliest gifts — was his. 

IV. 

He had felt no weary longings — 

No wants that were uiisupplied ; 
Upright, and just, and noble. 
His spirit was satisfied. 

V. 
Only one thought had power 

Ever a doubt to cast : 
— Joy, to be wholly perfect, 

Nfust be a joy to last : 



The Toung Ruler s Question. 5 

VI 

And he knew that his own was fleeting ; 

For he read in the sacred Psalm, 
Thai man must fade as a flower, 

And it ^^oiiKtimis nKine*! his ia\\\\. 

VII. 
He turned to the holy Prophets, 

Security thence to draw ; 
And he listened to Moses' teachings, 

And he strove to keep the Law. 

VIII. 
He tithed his anise and cuinmin — 

He tithed his mint and rue : 
He kucio he had earth's best treasures — 

He hoped he had heaven's loo. 



6 The Young Ruler s Question. 



IX 

— In the mart of a busy city 
It came to pass, one day, 

That a throng of curious people 
Were chf)king the n.irrow way, 

X. 

All pressing with upturned faces, 

Eager to hear and see 
The miracle-working Rabbi 

Who had come to (iaiilee. 

XI. 

— *• Now, verily, what will it profit 
A man, tho' he gain the whole 

Of the world, with its utmost glory, 
If yet he should lose his soul ? 



Th* Teung Ruler s Question. 7 

* 

XII. 

" Come unto me, ye weary — " 
Dropped on the passing ear 
Ot the young and happy Ruler, 

For he could not choose but hear. 

XIII. 
He did not pause to listen 

.\s he skirted the crowd, but went 
Hom«ward athwart the city, 

Wrapped in his swe«t content. 

XIV. 
Vet ever and oft, the Teacher 

Kose to his inward oye ; 
Over and over the question 

Waited his heart's reply. 



8 The Young Ruler's Question. 

XV. 

— Bliss that should be eternal — 
— Pleasures that could not clo\ — 

These were the very blessings 
Needed to crown his joy ! 

XVI. 
Again through the palm-girt highways, 

When noontide's sultry flame 
Was searing the happy vineyards, 

The wonfkrfnl Tearlu-r ramt-. 

XVII. 
And the Ruler hailed His coming ; 

For harvest or vintage cheer 
Never had silenced the question 

That troubled his restless ear. 



9=*-*^ 



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The Young Ruler's Question. 9 



xvm. 
IIa^lcning, he sought the Prophet 

Whose words had waked the strife : 
— 'What shall I do, good Master, 

To inherit eternal life ?" 

XIX. 

As he kneeled so young and guileless, 

Single in aim and art, — 
Jesus, seeing him, loved him, 

The' He read his inmost heart. 

XX. 

Anil he answered and said, as gently 
As father would say to son : [ments ;" 

— "Thou knowcst the Ten Command- 
And he spake them one by one. 



lo The Young Ruler's ^uesfion. 

XXI. 
A look that was half reproachful 

The eye of the Saviour met : 
— " I have kept them even from childhood ; 
Master, what lack I yet ?" 

XXil. 
And Jesus, seeing him, loved him, 

And a humaji sympathy stole, 
As He gazed on the earnest pleader, 

Deep into His sacred soul. 

XXIII. 
All liiiiMingp tbi« lii« could bring him 

Even now were his. He knew ; 
But he coveted both ]>osseMions — 

The earthly and heavenly toa 



Tk*' faung Ruler'f .'^uesUon. ii 



XXIV. 

Never diviner pity 

Melted the muurnful eye, 
Never a tearftiller yearning, 

Than softened the firm reply : 

XXV. 

** Only one thing thou lackest ; 
Give up thy portion here — 
All of thy stored abundance — 
Everything heart holds dear : 

XXVI. 

"C!hoose thee between the blcssinj^s — 

This — or the life to l>e : 
Thou shah have treasure in henven. 
If thou wilt follow me !" 



12 The Young Rulcr^s ^ncstiott. 



XXVII. 
A sudden, surprised dejection 

Flooded the lifted face — 
Doubting and disappointment 

Darkened the wistful gaze. 

xxvni. 
Verily, this was a doctrine 

Hai'd for the flesh and sore; 
I'his was a self-denying 

Never conceived before ! 

XXIX. 

Had there l)cen half required, 
Then he might heed the call : 

Dignities, loves, possessions — 
How could he yield them all ? 



The Toung Rulers .^ueslion. 13 

XXX. 

Bitter the stern exaction 

Fell on his heart that day ; 

\ nd wavering— wishing— choosing— 
lie sorrowfully went away. 

XXXI. 
—Ye who have read and marvelled 

That Jesus, who loved him so, 
should let him depart unhindered, — 

Will ye, like the Ruler, go? 

XXXII. 
Fonder the solemn question 

Deep in each conscience set. 
Asking in soul-like earnest, 

" Master, what lack I yet ?" 



14 The Young Ruler s Question. 



XXXI II. 
Choose ye, as every seeker 

Who fiiideth Him truly doth, 
— Earthly, or Heavenly treasure — 

For ye cannot inherit both ! 

XXXIV. 

Ye may be near the kingdom — 
Nearer than any know — 

And Jesus may love and pity, 
And yet — He may let you go! 




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